The function of B-cell lymphoma 6 in trophoblastic cells

• Main Authors: Jasmer, B, Muschol-Steinmetz, C, Kreis, NN, Steinhäuser, K, Ritter, A, Friemel, A, Yuan, J, Louwen, F
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0016-5751; 1438-8804
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1592904

Aim: Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity and although its pathogenesis is not fully understood. B-cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6), a key regulator of B-lymphocyte development, is altered in preeclamptic placentas suggestive of its involvement in trophoblast function in the early stage of placental development. Materials & Methods: Molecular biological methods were used to study the function of BCL6 in trophoblastic cell lines and primary trophoblasts. Results: We show that BCL6 is present in three trophoblast cell lines and it is predominantly expressed in trophoblastic HTR-8/SVneo cells derived from a first trimester placenta. The inhibition of BCL6 induces apoptosis, mitotic arrest and reduced migration. Furthermore the down regulation of BCL6 interferes with the fusion capacity of BeWo cells, a process known to be critical during the placental development in trophoblast. Summary: Given that BCL6 is of importance in expansion and survival of trophoblasts, we suggest that altered BCL6 contributes to the development of preeclampsia. Whether increased BCL6 observed in preeclamptic placentas is one of the causes of preeclampsia, or the consequence of deregulated hormones/cytokines, hypoxia and oxidative stress in the placenta, warrants further investigations in vivo and in vitro .